Print
Email
Share
What’s with these really young bands embracing sounds from decades before they were born and yet managing a hip take on it all? Here’s another prime example from a Long Beach, California group barely out of high school called Avi Buffalo. Their first self-titled CD was just released by famed indie label Sub Pop and after a sold out record release party at LA’s Troubadour, they’re embarking on a four-month tour beginning in the UK which makes major stops at the Sasquatch and Glastonbury festivals.
Avi is short for Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg, a skateboarder who picked up guitar along the way and started writing songs. His mastery of the instrument is in part due to lessons from legendary local blues guitarists—a revealing bit of trivia as old meets new in “What’s in It For”. The vocals call out with ‘70s soul searching and background cooing while the guitars playfully meander along until the closing brings an expanded textural landscape. The video on the band’s website ends with them playing in the sunshine with psychedelic flora and fauna enveloping them in the sunshine to bring home the concept.
“Remember Last Time” begins with this layered approach to the traditional rock band structure and the mind games continue with lyrics such as “if I had to tell you something about myself” and lots of talk about feelings. The song drops out to highlight Avi’s sparkling guitar parts with the sound building back in with the support of his band mates. It’s an impressive bit of playing and songwriting – definitely worth a listen.
